I've never understood the fascination with Bob Sirott. What's his appeal?

I've never understood the fascination with Bob Sirott. What's his appeal?

Cochran repeatedly showing up late to his own show (and this was before they moved him up an hour) probably had more to do with his departure than being mean to Daddy.

It’s weird that Bob Sirott was on radio when I was born and likely will when I die.

It’s weird that Bob Sirott was on radio when I was born and likely will when I die.

I'm almost afraid to ask. Who is Daddy?

Cochran repeatedly showing up late to his own show (and this was before they moved him up an hour) probably had more to do with his departure than being mean to Daddy.

I haven't listened to a WGN morning show in approximately twelve years, but if it's structured the same way now as it was then, then you don't want/need a big personality in the chair so much as a "game manager" who will throw to all the news, weather, traffic, business, sports, agriculture reports. Bob Sirott, being a name people recognize but not necessarily an outsize personality at this stage of the game, is probably a good fit for that. Greg Jarrett was boring and no one knew who he was, Brandmeier was a legend but was never allowed to do Brandmeier things.

But more than any of that, it was probably just that the boss doesn't like Cochran personally but does like Sirott. No one expects him to be a resounding success who will restore glory to WGN, it's just a matter of how they choose to manage the decline.

As WGN’s seventh morning host since Phillips stepped down 34 years ago, Sirott brings a lifetime of goodwill and unmatched equity to “Chicago’s Very Own.”

from Feder:



He's also the fifth since Spike O'Dell retired 11ish years ago. I didn't realize it had become that much of a revolving door until I saw it in print. Brandmeier did mornings! Remember that? And Greg Jarrett! Which twentysomething market did he wind up in?

from Feder:

However, market experts say that sustaining ratings boosts is hard in the radio business without exclusive programming, particularly in sports. Once home to the Chicago Cubs, now only the Chicago White Sox can be heard on the AM station, but Compton believes experiments like the Sinatra hour will pay off.

Crain's article on future of WGN, speculating on a sale this year.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marketi ... -wgn-radio

Changes to the newscast format on the weekends:

News is once an hour and only live from 6am-7pm.

The newscast starting at 8pm through the overnight hours is pre-recorded.

The weekday newscasts are live from 5am through 10pm (once an hour starting at 7pm),then on tape from 11pm through the overnight hours.

Not happy about this,but at least the hosts are live (except the early Sunday AM rebroadcast of Dave Plier's Friday 11pm-1am show).